Tight markets in western Europe have resulted in adisappointing season for South African apples, with exporters coming toterms with the fact that returns could be down 30 per cent this year.
StefanConradie, product manager at the South African Apple and Pear Association, told Fruitnet.comthat growers are expecting a big decline in earnings compared with lastyear, which proved to be one of the best in recent history.
Industry sources said that there are still considerable volumes ofapples in cold storage in South Africa that will have to find othermarkets. 'It makes no sense shipping fruit into markets which arealready full,' said Mr Conradie. 'Apple growers are having a difficulttime, particularly because the industry absorbed huge cost increasesthis season.'
By contrast, pear growers have experienced a strong season as a result of markets being short of fruit, with indications that the industry could match last season's returns.
Growers benefited from low stocks of Northern Hemisphere fruitand, despite the economic decline that saw consumer spending dropdramatically, while early season grapegrowers also did well despite the market declining considerably during thelate season.
